Uganda and India marked six decades of diplomatic relations with a vibrant celebration held on 29th November 2025, coinciding with Uganda’s 63rd Independence Day. The event, hosted by the Uganda High Commission in New Delhi, brought together diplomats, government officials, business leaders, development partners, and members of the Indian and Ugandan communities for a day of cultural exchange and commemoration.
The festivities featured cultural performances, a raffle draw, and a ceremonial cake-cutting, attended by John Mulimba, Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Affairs, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, India’s Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Prof. Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda, Uganda’s High Commissioner to India. The event underscored the enduring friendship and mutual respect between the two nations.
Minister Mulimba commended the Indian government and people for their steadfast support of Uganda’s socio-economic transformation agenda. He highlighted opportunities for deeper collaboration in manufacturing, agricultural value addition, tourism, and hospitality, emphasizing Uganda’s unique tourism products, including mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, Big Five safaris, mountaineering, white-water rafting, and religious tourism.
Prof. Kikafunda traced Uganda–India relations back to the early 20th century, when Indian workers came to Uganda to construct the Uganda Railway. She highlighted the contributions of Indians, Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and indigenous Ugandans in the country’s struggle for self-governance, culminating in independence in 1962. She noted that over six decades, the partnership has expanded through high-level visits, establishment of High Commissions, and collaborations across multiple sectors.
Key milestones highlighted included India’s support for the successful hosting of the 19th NAM and Third South Summits in 2024, the establishment of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) Jinja Campus in 2023, and health collaborations such as the donation of the Bhabhatron Cancer Therapy machine to the Uganda Cancer Institute. The longstanding cooperation between the two nations has also extended to Uganda’s COVID-19 response.
Uganda Airlines, represented by Country Manager Lenny Malasi, showcased its role in enhancing India–Africa connectivity. Through a new interline agreement with Air India, passengers can now travel seamlessly between multiple Indian cities and Uganda, facilitating tourism, trade, and regional integration. Two lucky guests won return air tickets in a raffle draw titled ‘Fly the Crane to the Pearl of Africa’, handed over by Minister Mulimba.
Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, representing the Government of India, emphasized the deep-rooted trust and shared aspirations that have characterized Uganda–India relations over the past 60 years. He noted that political engagement, economic ties, development cooperation, and people-to-people connections continue to strengthen bilateral relations and support regional integration and inclusive growth.
The event concluded with the launch of a commemorative publication, 60 Years of Uganda–India Diplomatic Relations, by Diplomacy and Beyond Magazine, celebrating the enduring partnership and envisioning future collaboration across trade, tourism, health, education, and culture.
